Mack speaks out, but faces criticism for lack of action

By
Matthew Osborne, The Trentonian

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

TRENTON — As violence engulfs the capital city, Mayor Tony Mack is speaking out, and he has the answer — citizens, police your own selves.

“I am absolutely fed up with the wanton violence that plagues our city,” Mack said in a statement Wednesday. “Our administration has made concerted efforts to reduce crime; everything from hiring additional police officers to transferring officers with desk jobs to our patrol bureau. The escalating violence requires us to do more and we will continue to meet that challenge.

“We continue to encourage residents to be engaged and attend C.P.A.C. and other community stakeholder meetings,” Mack continued. “The Trenton Police Department can no longer be expected to carry the burden of crime reduction on its own. Parents and guardians need to step up and take control of their homes and children. For those who need help, speak up and speak out. Our administration will continue to do its part by reaching out to state officials to secure additional public safety dollars.”

Many residents have complained that not enough is being done by Mack’s administration to stem the tide of recent heinous crimes. Two people were killed and three others left critical with gunshot wounds in a 36-hour period this week. Some citizens pointed out that his statement Wednesday was eerily similar to his “Enough is Enough!” memo from October that also resulted in no policy changes.

Mack has continually been reluctant to impose a curfew or any other drastic measure.

“We’re just going to keep going to funerals,” Councilman George Muschal said in reaction to Mack’s statement. “We’re going to continue to bury these kids because the parents have no control and won’t have control tomorrow either. Someone needs to put their foot down.”

Muschal proposed to the city council and Mack that a curfew of 10 p.m. be imposed on the streets of the city, with all stores closing at 9 p.m. Bars would close at 11 p.m. weeknights and midnight on weekends.

Muschal said he has the backing of Police Director Ralph Rivera and other members of the council, but ultimately, it’s in Mack’s hands to make it happen.

“It has to be approved by the mayor,” Muschal said. “Instead he came out with this crock of a statement. You can’t even go out in the daytime right now. Something is clearly wrong in this city. We need a strong mayor to take strong action, and we’re not getting it.”

Rivera could not be reached for comment on his cell phone Wednesday evening.

Mack talked about hiring more police and allocating resources, but the city still seems to be stinging from the mass law enforcement layoffs in 2011.

“We should never have laid off those cops in the first place,” Muschal said. “They can’t prevent every crime, but right now we can’t even investigate crimes because things are so backed up.”

City activist Michael Walker also was disappointed in the mayor’s statement.

“It’s unfortunate and it clearly exemplifies that the mayor doesn’t know what he’s doing,” Walker said. “Police are just part of the solution. We need leadership at the top, and right now he’s not capable of offering solutions.”

Walker suggested that a mayor with more credibility could get help from Gov. Chris Christie to help solve the public safety problem.

“Someone has to meet with the governor and get us more help,” Walker said. “We need to engage the statehouse on safety and economic development as well, but no one will talk to this mayor. It’s remarkable that this city is gripped with incompetent people leading it.”

Federal officials arrested Mack Sept. 10 on charges he conspired with others to extort $119,000 from a Hudson County developer. The mayor, who is free on $150,000 unsecured bail, has been under federal investigation since September 2010 and earlier this year had his home and City Hall office raided by the FBI.